Introduction

Le Morte d'Arthur — Thomas Malory

Bet y march. bet y guythur.bet y gugaun cletyfrut.anoeth bid bet y arthur.

A grave for March, a grave for Gwythur,A grave for Gwgawn of the ruddy Sword,Not wise (the thought) a grave for Arthur.

“That bids the charmëd sleep of ages fly,Rolls the long sound through Eildon’s caverns vast,While each dark warrior rouses at the blast,His horn, his falchion, grasps with mighty hand,And peals proud Arthur’s march from Fairyland.”

Golychaf wledic pendeuic gwlat ri.py ledas y pennaeth dros traeth mundi.bu kyweir karchar gweir ygkaer sidi.trwy ebostol pwyll aphryderi.Neb kyn noc ef nyt aeth idiyr gadwyn tromlas kywirwas ae ketwi.A rac preideu annwfyn tost yt gent.Ac yt urawt parahawt yn bard ivedi.Tri lloneit prytwen yd aetham ni idi.nam seith ny dyrreith o goer sidi.

I adore the noble prince and high kingWho extended his sway over the world’s strand.Perfect was the captivity of Gwair in Caer Sidi,Through the warning of Pwyll and Pryderi.

Before him no one entered into it,Into the heavy dark chain a trusty youth guarded;And at the harryings of Hades grievously did he sing,And till doom will he remain a bard afterwards.Three freights of Prydwen went we into it—Seven alone did we return from Caer Sidi.

Neut wyf glot geinmyn cerd o chlywir.ygkaer pedryuan pedyr y chwelyt.vgkynneir or peir pan leferit.Oanadyl naw morwyn gochyneuit.Neu peir pen annwfyn pwy y vynut.gwrym am yoror a mererit.ny beirw bwyt llwfyr ny rytyghit.cledyf lluch lleawc idaw rydyrchit.Ac yn Haw leminawc yd edewit.Arac drws porth vffern llugyrn lloscit.Aphan aetham ni gan arthur trafferth lethrit.namyn seith ny dyrreith o gaer vedwit.

I am a seeker (?) of praise, if (my) song be heard:In Caer Pedryvan……from the cauldron it would be spokenBy the breath of nine maidens it would be kindled.The head of Hades’ cauldron—what is it like?A rim it has, with pearls, round its border:It boils not a coward’s food: it would not be perjured.The sword of Llwch Lleawc would be lifted to it.And in the hand of Lleminawc was it left.And before the door of Hell’s gate lamps were burning,And when we accompanied Arthur, a brilliant effort,Seven alone did we return from Caer Veddwit.

Neut wyf glot geinmyn kerd glywanawr.ygkaer Pedryfan ynys pybyrdor.echwyd amuchyd kymysgetorgwin gloyw eu gwirawt rac eu gorgord.Tri lloneit prytwen yd aetham ni ar vor.namyn seith ny dyrreith o gear rigor.

I am a seeker (?) of praise, (my) song being (?) heard:At Caer Pedryvan in Quick-door Island,At dusk and in the blackness (of night) they mixThe sparkling wine, their drink before their retinue.Three freights of Prydwen went we on sea:Seven alone did we return from Caer Rigor.

Ny obrynafi lawyr llen llywyadurtra chaer wydyr ny welsynt wrhyt arthur.

Tri vgeint canhwr a seui arymur.oed anhawd ymadrawd ae gwylyadur.tri lloneit prytwen yd aeth gan arthur.namyn seith ny dyrreith o gaer golud.

I merit not the laurel of the ruler of letters—Beyond the Glass Fort they had not seen Arthur’s valour.Three score hundreds stood on the wall:Hard it was found to converse with their sentinel.Three freights of Prydwen (were they that) went with Arthur,Seven alone did they return from Caer Goludd.

Ny obrynaf y lawyr llaes eu kylchwy.ny wdant wy py dyd peridyd pwy.py awr ymeindyd y ganet cwy.Pwy gwnaeth arnyt aeth doleu defwy.Ny wdant wy yr ych brych bras ypenrwy.Seith vgein kygwng yny aerwy.A phan aetham ni gan arthur aurydol gofwy.namyn seith ny dyrreith o gaer vandwy.

I merit not the laurel of them of the long shields (?):They know not which is the ruler’s day (or) who (he is),At what hour of early day he was born (or) where (?),Who made…went not…They know not the Speckled Ox with the stout halter,With seven score joints in his collar.When we went with Arthur, anxious visit,Seven alone did we return from Caer Vanddwy.

Ny obrynafy lawyr llaes eu gohenny wdant py dyd peridyd pen.Py awr ymeindyd y ganet perchen.Py vil a gatwant aryant y pen.pan aetham ni gan arthur afyrdwl gynhennamyn seith ny dyrreith a gaer ochren.

I merit not the laurel of those of long…They know not which is the day of the ruler (and) chief,At what hour of early day was born the owner,(Or) what myriad guards the silver of the head.When we went with Arthur, anxious contest,Seven alone did we return from Caer Ochren.